29 August 2011

After a week of intense yoga practice and a week that saw my body have a collision with a piece of Germany's finest car engineering, my son not getting his university place of choice, and then getting two places, I was exhausted both physically and mentally. The change in the university plans meant I did not have to make the long drive to Newcastle, so I cancelled my trip and booked a place at Bishopstrow House for my husband and myself instead.

I have blogged about this Spa hotel before. It is a beautiful, old manor house set in gorgeous countryside and has a feel of being in another era. While swimming alone in the outdoor pool, I imagined this is what it would have been like for the Astors, of Clivedon house, without the scandal of Christine Keller and the Profumo affair.

I booked a garden room but when I arrived it had been given to someone else. I almost wept when I was given a room without a view. However, this was swiftly rectified and the unwinding process began.

The spa is so relaxing and - although it definitely feels a bit odd to wander around a Georgian country manor in your dressing gown - we soon fell into the swing of it and left Bishopstrow with our batteries fully recharged.

I would highly recommend this hotel if you are looking for a quiet place to unwind. Packages are available, so it is always worth asking.